I have really enjoyed the privilege of visiting 3 different churches over the past Sundays. They had many similarities, but they were pretty different, too. The first Sunday I walked with a group of people to a small church in the village not far from the port. It was a neat experience to walk along the streets and see the real life of the people in Monrovia. It is a very different world. Dirt roads with very small indescribable houses. It’s really hard to describe. Hopefully I will be able to take some pictures from a vehicle at some point but it is not safe to walk around with a camera on the streets. The people of the church were very welcoming, warm, and friendly. The people sitting in the front moved out of their seats for us to sit there. They had all of the visitors come to the front of the church and introduce ourselves, then each member came up to shake our hands. The music was a lot of fun and actually what I expected for an African church. Very rhythmic with drums and simple, repetitive songs. It was hard to understand the words to the songs and there were no books. But fortunately many of the lyrics are repeated, so by the end I had usually figured it out. From what I have seen, most Africans worship with their entire bodies, dancing in a marching-type rhythm and clapping. It is cool to see the joy overflowing especially in a people who have endured so much.
Last week I went to another church that was a little more “western” and traditional, but still with an African flare. We actually sang some traditional songs like ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ out if hymnals, but there were also more traditional African songs as well.
This week I visited another church and it was the most “western” of the 3 and very similar to contemporary evangelical churches in the U.S. Of course the building was still open air with concrete floors, but the set up was very familiar to me. I recognized a few of the songs and they had the words projected on the wall. I am not sure of the background of the church, but the pastor was American, although he mentioned another African pastor as well. It was nice to be able to fully understand him. I felt more at home there, but I am now debating where I will end up while I am here. I think it would be fun to be a regular at a more traditional African church in order to fully experience the culture. A lot of where we go also depends on if a vehicle and driver is available…so we’ll see where I end up next week.
One thing that was present at all 3 churches, an instrument that I have figured out is called a “sasa.” I really like it…it reminds me of the sound of maracas, but the person playing it can make more complex rhythms because they can control the netting around the outside. I found this decription on the internet and added a picture because I think its fun!
That’s wonderful. It brought me great joy to read that. Thanks for posting.. it makes me feel like I am there with you. We miss you dearly, but you are doing an awesome thing. I pray that God would continue to strengthen you, comfort you, protect you and teach you so much while you are there. TTYL. -Kel
I am so happy to read that you are safe and experiencing so much. Keep the updates coming!